Silent Killer Took My Soulmate

Roisin just thought that her partner had a hangover...

- Jade Belfast

That boy is really fit,’ I giggled to my mates.

We were just 15 and hanging out in the park.

We’d been joined by a group of lads who were larking around, but I had my eye on the shy one in the corner, Tony.

I was mortified when one of my friends went over to him.

‘My mate fancies you,’ she said.

My cheeks burned.

But he came over to chat – and, before long, we’d snuck away to sit on a bench for a cheeky kiss.

After that, me and Tony were inseparable.

I took him to the prom and that Christmas he met my parents Mairead and Liam.

‘He’s a lovely lad,’ smiled my mum later. ‘Be careful, though, Roisin, you’re too young for anything serious.’

But me and Tony were soulmates.

I’d never been with anyone other than Tony.

After school, I trained to work with children with learning difficulties, and Tony worked as a plasterer.

We bought a house and went on nice holidays. There was just one thing missing…

‘When are you going to propose?’ I nagged.

We’d been together over a decade and I wanted a ring! ‘

You know I’m not the romantic type,’ he’d say...

So lucky!

On Christmas Eve 2014, Tony said my gift was in the kitchen.

Annoyed, I rummaged in the cupboards and stormed into the lounge to say I couldn’t find it.

And there he was, down on one knee waiting for me.

‘Roisin, will you marry me?’ he asked.

I burst into floods of tears.

I started planning our wedding, but I had a nagging worry in my mind… I was late.